MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A college freshman from New York merited a mention in President Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.

The president says 18-year-old Samantha Garvey “gives me hope.”

They met when she attended a White House science fair earlier this year. Long Island congressman Steve Israel also invited her to attend the president’s state of the union speech.

Garvey won national recognition for her biology research while living with her family at a homeless shelter.

The Brentwood High School graduate is now a freshman at Bowdoin College in Maine.

Garvey was a semifinalist in the national Intel Science contest. Her family has since found a home.

Brentwood science teacher Rebecca Grella tells the AP she was stunned when Obama alluded to her prized student.